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It’s a big few weeks for us. We had a lovely 10th Anniversary celebration on Friday night. It was good to stop and reflect on the last ten years. We have had 320 people join us at one time or another. We have shown 104 films from 34 countries. We are very proud. We are also very proud that this next season is our 21st!

The Divine Order. Friday 5th October 2018. 8pm

Director :Petra Volpe. 96 minutes, Switzerland, 2017, CLUB.

1971: Nora is a young housewife and mother, living in a quaint little village in Switzerland with her husband and their two sons. The rural area is untouched by the major social upheavals the revolutionary movement of 1968 has brought about elsewhere. Nora’s life is not affected either; she is a quiet person who is liked by everybody –until she starts to publicly fight for women’s suffrage, which the men are due to vote on in a ballot. Despite obstacles and backlash Nora becomes a hero as she overthrows the status quo. Switzerland was one of the last countries in the world to introduce female suffrage. And it is only since 1971 that women have had the right to vote.

Winner, Audience Award, Tribeca Film Festival 2017

Summer 1993. Friday 2nd November 2018. 8pm

Director Carla Simon. 97 mins. Spain. CLUB.

When six year old Frida’s mother dies from AIDS related pneumonia, she moves from her life in Barcelona to her Uncles Catalonian farm. This new family and her landscape are alien to Frida; she’s afraid of the chickens, she doesn’t know the difference between a lettuce and a cabbage and she has a new, adoring, annoying little sister. While her family’s warmth and love are abundant, their attempts to protect her only increase Frida’s bewilderment and isolation.

This autobiographical first feature explores Frida’s conflicting emotions as she struggles to process her losses and adjust to her new life. The performances of the two children are disarmingly vulnerable and natural in this gorgeous, yet unsentimental film about a child navigating grief.

Best First Feature – Berlin International Film Festival 2017
Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury – Berlin International Film Festival 2017

The Rider. Friday 7th December 2018. 8pm

Director : Chloe Zhao. 104 minutes, USA, 2017. CLUB TBC

Brady is a talented South Dakota bronco rider and horse trainer – cowboys and rodeos are the centre of his world. So when he suffers a near-fatal accident that halts his career, Brady struggles to recover from a serious head-injury that forces him to reevaluate his future.

Chinese-born director Chloé Zhao proves that her acclaimed debut feature Songs My Brothers Taught Me was no flash-in-the-pan, as she returns with another beautifully crafted and absorbing glimpse of “real-life” America in this second feature. Casting non-professional actors as versions of themselves allows her to bring a unique authenticity and intimacy to the story – the result is a powerfully emotional and touching exploration of humanity.

In September 2008 here in Newcastle West Film Club we had our 1st ever screening. Now we are marking our 10th anniversary and also our 21st season which we think is special so we are going to mark the occasion. Whether you were there for the first night or if this will be your first time we would love you to join us.

We tried to think of what film we might show and after much deliberation we realised we got it right first time around with our opening film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. So we are going for full on nostalgia and going back to where it all began. This film stands the test of time telling the amazing real life story of Jean-Dominique Bauby who was editor in chief of French Elle magazine. The film is based on his memoir which he wrote after having a stroke and being left with Locked in Syndrome. He did so by blinking each letter with his left eye which took him ten months.
For the night that is in it we have a special reduced entry cost of €5 and you won’t have to put your hand in your pocket after that. This is an over 18s event. There is no need to book, just arrive on the night.
Desmond Complex is a wheelchair accessible venue and we have an audio loop.

Newcastle West Film Club will be having it’s AGM on Thursday 16th August at 8pm in Desmond Complex. You are welcome to join us, especially if you would like to find out more about the film club or become more involved. You can phone 087 6877970 for more details.

Another year another May film. We are always delighted to take part in the May Film Tour which is curated by Access Film to coincide with the Bealtaine Festival. In line with the festival films are selected with an older audience in mind. There is no entry fee to see this film. This years offering will be Sully. Staring Tom Hanks. Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney this is based on a true story that is probably within your recollection but you may not have heard what happened after.
On January 15, 2009, just moments after takeoff, US Airways Flight 1549 made a forced water landing in New York City’s icy cold Hudson River. The poise and skill of Captain Chesley ”Sully” Sullenberger ensured the safety of all 155 passengers and crew. Shortly after, investigators used computer simulations to charge Sullenberger and his co-pilot with having put the passengers and the plane needlessly at risk. Clint Eastwood, working from a superbly structured script by Todd Komarnicki, tells the story of Sullenberger’s multiple ordeals with economy and precision, achieving a tone that echoes its
protagonist’s grace under pressure. In 40 years of cinematic storytelling, Eastwood has been obsessed with the mysterious coexistence of the heroic and the ordinary. In Tom Hanks, he has found the perfect performing partner—sober, self-deprecating, self-effacing to embody that theme. Excellent support comes from Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney.

Desmond Complex is an accessible venue and an audio loop is available in the screening room. Over 18s only.

We are delighted to announce that we will be collaborating with West Limerick Resources to host an Intercultural event on Friday 20th April at 8pm. There is free entry to this film. Over 18s only. Desmond Complex is an accessible venue and there is an audioloop.

Newcastle West Film Club are delighted to be collaborate with this years Eigse Michael Hartnett Festival with the screening of the film Song of Granite. For more information on this fantastic festival you can visit the website

The film will be screened on Friday 13th April at 8pm in Desmond Complex. Entry is €7. Tickets for the event can be booked online through The Limetree Theatre who are taking bookings for the festival’s events.

Alternatively tickets can be bought at the door, subject to availability. Please note Desmond Complex is a wheelchair accessible venue and there is an audioloop in the room where the screening will take place. This is an over 18s event.

Now some details on the film.

Song Of Granite. Friday 13th April 2018. 8pm

Director Pat Collins. Ireland. 2017. 104 minutes.

Acclaimed filmmaker Pat Collins (of ‘Necklace of Wrens’ fame) brings the dramatic life story of legendary sean- nós singer Joe Heaney to the screen in THE SONG IN GRANITE, an audacious exploration of the man and his music. With an approach that marries traditional narrative episodes with documentary footage, the film will celebrate the music Joe Heaney created while painting an unflinching portrait of Heaney, the man.

Well there is bad news and there is good news. As you might expect at this point we are not going ahead with our screening on Friday night. The red alert made that decision a bit clearer! The good news though is that we are screening the film instead next week, on Fri 9th March. Stay safe and warm until then.

As we are all aware by now this week is forecast to be particularly cold. At this point we will be just keeping an eye on the forecast over the course of the next few days and then decide if we can go ahead with our screening. We are obviously hoping the area won’t be too badly affected and that the worst will have passed by Friday evening. But watch this space and we will post an update closer to the time.

Welcome to 2018. We hope it is a year full of health and happiness. We are looking forward to sharing more great film and hope you can join us. And this season is the official countdown to our 21st and 10th birthdays. In September we will celebrate 10 years of screening and our 21st season!

First things first though, lets get this season underway.

Rosalie Blum. Friday 2nd February 2018. 8pm

Director: Julien Rappeneau. 95 mins. France. 2016.

A random encounter has unexpected and life-changing consequences for three characters in Rosalie Blum, a quirky, heart-warming tale based on the graphic novel trilogy by French artist Camille Jourdy. This enchanting directorial debut from French screenwriter Julien Rappeneau ( Bon Voyage36 Quai des Orfèvres) is a witty and ingeniously crafted comedy.

This film is presented with the support of the French Embassy and the Institut Français.

In Between. Friday 2nd March 2018. 8pm

Director Maysaloun Hamoud. France, Israel. 103 minutes. 2016.

Layla, Salma, and Nour–three Palestinian women with Israeli citizenship -share an apartment in the vibrant center of Tel Aviv. Despite being “ independent” each of them struggles with the restrictions imposed on their lives by a blinkered society.Maysaloun Hamoud’s remarkable feature debut, explores the challenges facing young Arab-Israeli women who must negotiate being “in between” cultures and traditions.

The Party. Friday 6th April. 8pm.

Director: Sally Potter. UK. 2017, 71 mins.

Janet has just been appointed minister in the shadow cabinet–the crowning achievement of her political career. She and her husband Bill plan to celebrate this with a few close friends. The guests arrive at their home in London but the party takes an unexpected turn for the worse when Bill suddenly makes two explosive revelations that shock Janet and everyone present to the core. Love, friendships, political convictions and a whole way of life are now called into question. Underneath their cultivated liberal left-wing surface people are seething. Their dispute leads to the big guns being brought out–even in a literal sense.

For her eighth theatrical feature British director and screenwriter Sally Potter,who last took part in the Berlinale Competition with Rage in 2009, has invited a stellar cast to join her party. Beginning as a subtly witty comedy replete with sharp-tongued dialogue, the film later veers off into tragedy. When life can nolonger be controlled by reason, people will fight tooth and nail to protect their seemingly stable existence.

Another season, another great 3 films to pass the dark nights. And we have a very classic feeling to this season. We kick off with a classic coming of age Irish drama. Followed by a classic black and white love story. And we finish the year with 2 classic French ladies. We are still screening in Desmond Complex, at 8pm and entry if €7. The venue is wheelchair accessible and there is an audio loop. Refreshments available. Over 18s only.

Handsome Devil. Friday 6th October. 8pm

Director: John Butler. 95 mins. Ireland 2016. Language: English

In this funny and observant coming of age tale from Irish novelist and filmmaker John Butler , bullied outsider Ned and macho athlete Conor are forced to share a bedroom at their rugby-mad boarding school. Their unlikely friendship takes them both bysurprise as they bond over music and begin practicing guitar together. After their supportive English teacher encourages them to enter a local talent competition,Conor faces increasing pressure to choose between manly athletic pursuits and his new love of music. Meanwhile Ned has to decide whether to betray his new friend’s trust to save his own skin. Ultimately, each learns the importance of bravery, loyalty,and finding one’s own voice.

Juho Kuosmanen’s impressive debut feature takes its title from central character 25-year old Olli Mäki, a European amateur boxing champion, who is training for the match of a lifetime -the 1962 World Featherweight title against American world champion Davey Moore. As Olli struggles to balance his preparations with the pressures of being in the media spotlight, he also finds himself falling in love with local beauty Raija, much to the dissatisfaction of his ambitious manager Elis. Beautifully shot on 16mm in evocative black and white,and with quietly powerful performances from its cast, this charming portrayal of one man’s challenge to determine his life’s priorities is the most unconventional boxing film and feel-good love story you’ll see this year.

The Midwife. Friday 1st December. 8pm

Director: Martin Provost. 117 mins. France. 2017. Language: French.

Director Martin Provost (Violette, Seraphine) unites two of Frances favourite actors in his tender comedy drama about female friendship and rediscovery. Catherines Deneuve and Catherine Frot play very different women whose shaky reconnection after a number of decades allows them both to learn valuable life lessons from one another. Claire (Frot) is the conscientious Midwife of the title, a single mother whose reservations and self-restraint have left her living an isolated life. Until the day her deceased fathers ex girlfriend makes contact. Beatrice(Deneuve) is a free spirited, professional gambler who wishes to reconnect with Claire’s father. Shocked at the news that he has passed away she implants herself into Claires lifeinstead, bringing chaos, joy and memories of happier times.